Sorghum Yield Results Improve

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/07 - SNS -- Sorghum production is forecast at 495 million bushels, up 4% from last month and up 78% from last year, according to the USDA crop report.

Based on September 1 conditions, the yield is forecast at 73.9 bushels per acre, up 3.0 bushels from August and up 17.7 bushels from last year. If realized, this would be the highest yield on record. Area for harvest as grain is forecast at 6.70 million acres, unchanged from August but up 36% from last year.

As of September 2, sorghum had progressed to 28% mature, compared with 30% last year and the 5-year average of 27%. Sorghum condition was rated 63% good to excellent, compared with 30% at the same time last year. Yield forecasts were at or above last month's level in all of the major sorghum producing States except New Mexico and Oklahoma.\

Kansas received beneficial rainfall during August in the central and northern parts of the State where most of the sorghum is produced. The yield in Kansas is expected to be 79.0 bushels per acre, up 5.0 bushels from last month and up 21.0 bushels from 2006. Texas, the second largest sorghum producing State, expects a yield of 69.0 bushels per acre, up 2.0 bushels from last month and up 21.0 bushels from last year due to favorable growing conditions. Record high yields are forecast in Nebraska, Arkansas, and Texas.

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